Steadying camera support platform

ABSTRACT

A support platform for a video camera allows cushioning of jostling attendant to walking motion so that the video quality is unaffected by the photographer&#39;s movements. A sphere of TEFLON polymer floats in a socket plate permitting hand movements about the roll and pitch axes of ±60° and ±360° about the yaw axis without jarring the camera. A second embodiment affords the ability to mount an additional camera to provide shots in a plurality of directions on a single take. Yet another feature of the invention is a hands-free support arm usable with the support platform.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of camera mounts. Moreparticularly, the present invention comprises a camera mount forhand-held video recorders which can hold a camera steady if the supportplatform is maintained within ±60° about the x-axis and the z-axis whilepermitting complete unimpeded rotation about the y-axis.

A number of devices, such as Steadicam® stabilizing device, have beendeveloped for use by professional cameramen. These devices are,typically, large, bulky and too expensive for use by the average videobuff and, many of these devices are unsuitable for use by the smaller,light-weight video cams available today.

The steadying camera support platform of the present invention providesa much simpler, effective device for use with the camcorders currentlybeing used while providing a great deal of flexibility for both mountingthe camera and obtaining a variety of shots for the user. In addition,the support platform of the present invention maintains the video cameralevel, front-to-back and side-to-side, if the platform is maintainedwithin ±60° from horizontal. The present invention comprises a platformto which the camera is secured; a support shaft attached to a bottomsurface of the platform; a sphere affixed to an upper portion of thesupport shaft; a socket plate member which pivotally captures the spherein a socket formed therein; a balance plate mounted on a bottom portionof the support shaft to help counterbalance the weight of the camera;means attachable to the socket plate member by which the platformsupport and its cargo is suspended; whereby when the platform supportwith its cargo is transported during video taping using the meansattachable to the socket plate member, the camera is maintained in asteady position.

The socket plate member permits the sphere to pivot ±60° about the ‘x’(or roll) axis, +60° about the ‘y’ (or pitch) axis, and ±360° about the‘z’ (or yaw) axis. The support shaft is preferably formed in a firstupper portion and a second lower portion with the first upper piececapable of being locked in any desired, position within an angle of ±60°relative to the second lower piece. This will enable the user to obtainan upwardly or downwardly peering viewpoint for her/his shot.

The socket plate member is preferably formed as a first upper plate witha first downwardly directed truncated spherical recess and a secondlower plate with a second upwardly directed truncated spherical recess,the first and second truncated spherical recesses capturing thespherical ball and serving as the spherical ball's bearing surface. Thespherical ball is preferably made of a self-lubricating material such asTEFLON polymer.

The means attachable to said socket plate in one embodiment comprises ahandle. The handle preferably has a first straight portion and a secondangled portion, the second portion being angled downwardly 15° withrespect to first straight portion. The means attachable to said socketplate in a second embodiment comprises a hands-free support arm. Thehands-free support arm comprises a first top bar pivotally connected toa first vertically extending member at its first end and to a secondvertically extending member at its second end; a second bottom barpivotally connected to the first vertically extending member at itsfirst end and to the second vertically extending member at its secondend, the first top bar, the second bottom bar, and the first and secondvertically extending members forming a parallelogram linkage; means toattach the first vertically extending member to the camera platformsupport; adjustable leveling means associated with the second verticallyextending member to position the camera platform support at a desiredheight; attachment means to secure the hands-free support arm to auser's body; whereby a full weight of said camera support platform andthe camera mounted thereon is carried by the user's body leaving her/hishands free.

The adjustable leveling means can take the form of an air cylinderconnected between said parallelogram linkage and said second verticalmember and a secondary reservoir to provide cushioning against jerkingmovement. Alternatively, the parallelogram linkage can be mounted on asupport block with the second lower bar being extended such that anadjustable spring can engage the portion which extends beyond its pivotpoint to cantilever the hands-free unit and its cargo.

Another aspect of the present invention is a dual platform mountingsystem for supporting multiple cameras to enable a photographer tosimultaneously obtain multiple shots in different directions. Whenediting the film, the two views can be joined together in the same frameor spliced seriatim to show the different views, for example, inopposite directions. This configuration includes a first platform towhich a first camera is secured; a support shaft attached to a bottomsurface of said platform; a balance plate mounted on a bottom portion ofsaid support shaft to help counterbalance a weight of the first camera,said balance plate mounting a second camera; means attachable to saidsupport shaft by which said platform support and its cargo is suspended;whereby two cameras may simultaneously video tape in differentdirections to provide a film editor with differently directed shotstaken during a single take.

While the simplicity and, hence, the lower expense associated with thecurrent platform support will make the device of the present inventionattractive to the amateur photographer, the versatility and practicalfeatures of this device will make it a favorite with the professional,as well.

Various other features, advantages and characteristics of the presentinvention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art aftera reading of the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is/are described inconjunction with the associated drawings in which like features areindicated with like reference numerals and in which

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the platform support ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment with the handle rotated90° and with the upper piece of the support shaft tilted forward;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the first embodiment with the handle cantedrearwardly a maximum amount (at least 60°);

FIG. 4A is a top view of the top platform plate of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a top view of the bottom platform plate of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the socket plate of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the socket plate;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A is a front view of the lower mount depicting its mounting range;

FIG. 7B is a side view of the lower mount showing a camera mounted totape straight down;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a first embodiment of a hands-free arm; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of a second embodiment of the hands-free arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

A first embodiment of the platform support of the present invention isdepicted in FIGS. 1-3 generally at 20. The platform support 20 includessupport plate 22 with support shaft 24 attached to the bottom of supportplate 22. Support shaft 24 preferably has a first upper piece 26 and asecond lower piece 28 joined by pivot joint 30. Lower end 27 of upperpiece and upper end 29 of lower piece 28 are radiused to permit pivotingof at least ±60° from vertical (see FIG. 2). Loosening and re-tighteningadjustment screw 32 will permit the user to obtain either an upwardly ordownwardly peering camera angle of between 0 and 60°.

Mounted on the upper portion 26 of support shaft 24 is a spherical ball40 which has an axial hole 41 there through of a diameter sufficient toaccommodate the upper portion 26. A cotter pin 34, or the like, holdsthe ball 40 against upward vertical movement while the shoulder 36formed atop lower piece 28 of the support shaft 24 restricts itsdownward motion. Spherical ball 40 is preferably made of aself-lubricating material, such as TEFLON polymer, while the balance ofthe platform support 20 is preferably made of aluminum, or a similarlight weight material. A socket plate 42 is formed of a first upperplate 44 with a downwardly directed truncated spherical recess 46 andsecond lower plate 48 with a upwardly directed truncated sphericalrecess 46′ (FIGS. 5A and 513). These two recesses 46 and 46′ capturespherical ball 40 and serve as its bearing surface, permitting at least±60° rotation about the ‘x’ (or roll) axis and the ‘y’ (or pitch) axis,as limited only by the engagement of the socket plate 42 with shoulder(36 FIG. 3). Spherical ball 40 call freely rotate in socket plate 42about the ‘z’ (or yaw) axis freely turning about the z-axis through360°.

Handle 50 has a first straight portion 52 which is retained in anaperture in an edge portion 43 of socket plate 42 by thumb screw 56. Asecond straight portion 54 of handle 50 is angled downwardly 15° fromthe first straight portion 52 to provide a more natural gripping anglefor a user's hand and providing better balance. A balance plate 58 isattached to the bottom of the support shaft 24 and provides a surfaceupon which the device 20 can stand, with or without the camera attachedto support plate 22.

As seen in FIG. 4A, support plate 22 has a plurality of mounting slots38 to permit a camera to be mounted in a variety of positions coveringvirtually any direction. With the camera thus mounted, the platformsupport 20 can be carried using handle 50. While walking, the socketplate 42 cushions the bouncing, or jerking, motion associated withwalking so that the camera moves smoothly during video recording whilemaintaining the camera vertically plumb recording a horizontal frame sothat the video quality is not disturbed. By grasping the balance plate58 or the support shaft 24 with the other hand, the platform plate 22with the camera thereon can be rotated 360° about the yaw axis toprovide a complete panoramic view. In addition, the camera platform canbe tilted about the pitch axis to look vertically, up and down abuilding, for example, as much as ±60°, while jostling around the rollaxis of handle 50 will not be imparted to the camera, as long as themovement does not exceed ±60°.

A second embodiment of the platform support of the present invention isdepicted in FIG. 6 generally at 20′. In this embodiment the balancingplate mounted on the bottom of support shaft 24′ is replaced by a secondsupport plate 22′. FIG. 4B depicts the pattern of slots 60′ formed insecond lateral support plate 22′. Second lateral support plate 22′ ismounted to vertical arm 63′ of L-shaped support plate 62′ by thumb screw64′ threadingly engaging in block 66′. As seen in FIG. 7A, secondlateral support plate 62′ can be pivoted to any desired angle throughout360° (with the exception of the 20° occupied by the horizontal arm 61′of L-shaped support plate 62′). By mounting the camera 11′ on thevertical arm 63′, the camera can be pointed directly downward as seen inFIG. 7B or, if mounted on the outer face of vertical arm 63′, directlyupward. The benefit provided by this second embodiment 20′ is that thefilm maker can simultaneously obtain views in a plurality of directionsin a single shoot. The lower camera 11′ further provides a counterweight for the upper camera, balancing the platform support 20′ aboutthe pivot of spherical ball 40′ in socket plate 42′.

It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a hands-freesupport arm, a first embodiment of which is depicted in FIG. 8 generallyat 70. Hands-free support arm 70 comprises a first top bar 72 pivotallyconnected to a first vertically extending member 74 at its first end 71and to a second vertically extending member 80 at its second end 73. Asecond bottom bar 76 is pivotally connected to the first verticallyextending member 74 at its first end 75 and to said second verticallyextending member 80 at its second end 77, first top bar 72, secondbottom bar 76, and first (74) and second (80) vertically extendingmembers forming a parallelogram linkage. Air cylinder 82 is connected tothe second bottom bar 76 by extending plate 84.

In this embodiment, the second vertically extending member 80 is anauxiliary air reservoir tank with an input port 86. The platform support20 (or 20′) is attached to the hands-free support arm 70 by insertingprotrusion 88 in the opening in edge portion 43 of socket plate 42 andattaching thumb screw 56. The vertical height of the platform plate 22(or 22′) can be adjusted by adding air to or letting out air from inputport 86. It will be appreciated that different size and weight cameraswill require a different pneumatic pressure to provide the desiredpositioning. The auxiliary air reservoir tank 80 is connected to aircylinder 82 by supply tube 81. Hands-free support arm 70 is mounted onthe photographer's body by suspension strap 90 and a second stabilizingstrap (not shown) attached to the bottom of auxiliary air reservoir tank80 and tightened around the photographer's waist to restrict swaying ofthe arm 70 and its cargo.

A second embodiment of the hands-free support arm of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 9 generally at 70′. In this secondembodiment, the second vertically extending member 80′ is a supportblock. First top bar 72′ extends through a slot in the front of supportblock 80′ and is pivotally secured internally of block 80′ at 73′. Thesecond bottom bar 76′ has an extended length 92′ which extends beyondthe pivot point 77′, which is also internal to support block 80′. A coilcompression spring 94′ interacts between first reaction surface 93′ onthe extended length 92′ of bottom bar 76′ and an adjustable reactionsurface 95′ inside the support block 80′. The position of adjustablereaction surface 93′ can be altered by tightening or loosening the thumbscrew 96′ to increase or lessen the force on extended length 92′ toprovide adequate force to cantilever the weight of the platform support20 (or 20′) and the camera(s) mounted thereon.

The present invention is available under the name STEADY ORB andprovides benefits over existing camera mounts which are readilyapparent. The first embodiment of platform 20 provides a support for thevideo cameras which are commercially available and provides analternative to the expensive camera-steadying devices currentlyavailable for both the amateur and professional photographer. Inaddition, the second embodiment provides steady platform support formultiple cameras enabling a photographer to record simultaneouslyseveral views of an event. Lastly, several embodiments of a hands-freeunit which can be used with this or other camera platforms is shown.

Various changes, alternatives and modifications will become apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art following a reading of the foregoingspecification. It is intended that any such changes, alternatives andmodifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims beconsidered part of the present invention.

1. A system for holding a hand-held video camera steady during itsmovement while recording, said system comprising a) a support platformto which the video camera is secured; b) a support shaft connected to abottom surface of said platform; c) a sphere affixed to an upper portionof said support shaft; d) a socket plate member which pivotally capturessaid sphere in a socket formed therein, said socket plate freelypivoting about said sphere at all times; e) a balance plate connected toa bottom portion of said support shaft to help counterbalance a weightof the camera; f) means attachable to said socket plate member by whichsaid support platform and the video camera are suspended; whereby whenthe platform support with the camera supported thereon is transportedduring video recording using the means attachable to said socket platemember, the camera is maintained in a steady position by a gravitationalforce.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said socket plate member permitssaid sphere to freely pivot ±60° about a roll axis, ±60° about a pitchaxis, ±360° about a yaw axis.
 3. The camera platform support of claim 1wherein said support shaft is formed in a first upper portion and asecond separate lower portion, and said first upper portion may belocked in any desired position within an angle of ±60° relative to saidsecond lower portion by means of a joint with a locking mechanism. 4.The system of claim 1 wherein said socket plate member comprises a firstupper plate with a first downwardly directed truncated spherical recessand a second lower plate with a second upwardly directed truncatedspherical recess, said first and second truncated spherical recessescapturing said spherical ball and serving as said spherical ball'sbearing surface.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said spherical ball ismade of polytetrafluoroethylene material.
 6. The system of claim 1wherein said means attachable to said socket plate comprises a handle.7. The system of claim 6 wherein said handle has a first straightportion and a second angled portion.
 8. The system of claim 7 whereinsaid second angled portion forms an angle of 15° with said firststraight portion.